AQ – keeping it up!! : ) Surprising with my amount of will power..thank you very much for your review!

akiko-4ever – Sorry for making it confusing. Dang! It should become simpler now : ) Thanks for the review

Lazuline Violet – Thanks so much! What a gorgeous review! I am currently learning Chinese, traditional Korean and modern Korean, Greek and Latin too! Hehe! I love these languages – [ I thought French sucked m.a.j.o.r. a.s.s…..but I'm prejudice! My camp French teacher taught me nothing and get this, he doesn't even have a tv! Is that blasphemy or not?! He's also too rich and wears Chinese peasant costumes as well as causing me 'annyoung' which is hello in Korean..psycho..] lol! Hehe I'm doing it out of choice! Yay! Finally..!! there are 9 people in my latin class and er –coughs- 3 in my Greek class! Crazy or what?! Salve puella! Man..Latin kicks ass ; ) No apology needed! All Latin students are crazy and living in the wrong era – its proven! Especially with my rocking old groovy fogie of a teacher..who I swear actually lived in the Roman times! He's also senseless…alas….Please keep reading : )

Livalens

Chapter 4

Sakura kept her head bowed low and her feet shuffled on the ground. This house was not so big but it was just as grand. Saying goodbye to Tomoyo had been hard but at least she would see her time to time. Tomoyo had promised to come and see her at every opportunity. This provided some comfort to Sakura.

But her garden and her library – she had become so attached to them. The garden wasn't exactly wonderful because Sakura couldn't buy any seeds but it still had been her property. This was something she had very little of because she was property. Yului cleared his throat as Sakura examined the grey mottled pattern of the white marbled floors.

' Sakura?' He said quietly.

Sakura raised her head unwillingly, 'Yes Master Yului'

' No need to address me as master Sakura. Have you noticed anything peculiar? Odd? Strange? Lately..'

Sakura shook her head. ' Not at all Sir'

' No need to address me as sir either' Yului chuckled. ' Well. There is something I need to tell you! Do you remember every well, having an extraordinary experience when you were younger?'

' No' Sakura shook her head again. Her liquid eyes shifted in confusion. Part of her began to feel very nervous.

' Nothing different has happened lately? You haven't been doing anything say, against normal circumstances?'

Sakura's eyes widened. Did he know she had been raiding the library..

' Anything illegal in your eyes? Not what human's normally do..'

Sakura held her breath. He knew! He must have seen her one night or the look in her eyes must have given it away!

' Something you think you shouldn't be doing?'

Sakura started to turn red.

' Something unthinkable. You'd never even dream of being able to do!'

Sakura began to breathe deeper. What would they do to her? Torture her? Burn her? Sheathe her into pages of a book as a punishment?

' I suppose, something so staggering and stupendously..'

Sakura opened her mouth, ready to admit everything in a rush of words and admit her crimes; on her hands and knees of course.

' Father?'

A cold voice interrupted both Yului and Sakura. Yului looked back, enquiringly,

' She obviously hasn't' He muttered. Yului nodded.

' You're right Syaoran. Well. Sakura I suggest you rest. How about I take you to the library?'

Sakura's eyes nearly popped out of her head. Syaoran glanced at her from a side angle with an eyebrow raised,

' You got a problem with libraries?' He asked. Sakura shook her head,

' Not at all!!' She grinned widely and shook her head furiously. Syaoran rolled his eyes and looked away. Sakura looked at him, narrowing her eyes.

' Well Sakura. I need to have a talk with you..'

Sakura followed Yului into his private study area, much like Kano's but slightly smaller. Syaoran followed although he clearly had better things to do…

Sakura resisted the urge to laugh.

' Right. So I, Sakura Daedandre, a common slave of a high house, am..'

Yului nodded, loosening his toga and drumming his fingers. Syaoran had tilted his head back from his chair and was sound asleep aside from his quiet breathing.

' I don't believe it!'

The sun had set.

' Sakura! You have to listen to me!'

' Right' Sakura said and there was silence. 'Prove it!'

Yului held his hands up in the air in frustration,

' What was your mother?'

' A human?' Sakura muttered disdainfully.

' Did she have any special capabilities?'

' She played the flute'

' Special!'

' She could also garden well'

' Garden? Ah! Could she make things grow unnaturally well?'

' ….she made things grow.' Sakura slumped in her chair. This was getting repetitive.

' Well Sakura! I have no way to prove it to you!' Yului was on the verge of tears. Sakura shrugged,

' I really have no recollection maste..sir..Yului. I'm sorry'

Yului hung his head. ' I guess we have to start from scratch'

Sakura sweat-dropped. She had no idea what this whole conversation had been about. Something about grade 3 magic? Magic? What the hell was magic? Quagmire? Where?!

' Come Sakura' Yului stood up, tightening up his robes and brushing his graying hair back. Sakura also got up out of politeness. Yului rolled his eyes at his sleeping son,

' He trained hard today, as always' He smiled. Sakura looked at Syaoran, tilting her head. He looked very different when he was asleep. Naturally, he looked much younger.

Sakura tore her eyes away from him and walked with Yului. They walked in silence down the corridor until they came up to a door. Yului looked back at Sakura briefly,

' Brace yourself'

Sakura's lip twitched.

He pushed the door open and Sakura's jaw dropped as she walked in. Her sandals clicked on the floor as she looked around the huge empty room. Huge swords, staffs and daggers lined the back wall.

' What is this room used for?' She whispered. Yului smirked,

' Oh it has its purposes Sakura'

Silence. Sound echoed up this vast room. The walls were made out of a hard black rock and blades of light filtered in through slits. In the corner, a burning torch released a thin line of smoke.

' What purposes?' Sakura breathed. Her eyes focused on the burning torch and she flinched, taking a few steps back.

' You shall see'

' I don't understand!' Sakura cried.

' I am not going to waste my time father' Syaoran murmured. He sat at the dining room table with his arms crossed and very determined. Sakura shot daggers at him.

' Neither am I'

' It won't be you who is wasting your time' Syaoran closed his eyes before opening one at her. Sakura started to grow red hot,

' I think you'll find..'

' Enough both of you' Yului raised both his hands to stop the growing argument. Sakura turned her head away, crossing her arms also.

' I am not considering training a girl'

' I don't want to be here'

' Fine by me, slave'

Sakura began to steam inside but kept her cool – remembering her status.

' I don't have time for you' Syaoran continued. 'I must continue back to my training'

' Syaoran' Yului said quietly, his head bent low. 'Do you remember that small girl, in that stampede of quagmire?'

Syaoran looked up with burning amber eyes and slowly shook his head.

' The one who released a healing circle? Healed you?'

Syaoran closed his eyes momentarily and looked over at Sakura. His eyes darkened,

' Yes I remember'

Sakura blinked before looking between the two men,

' How is it I don't remember this, this…'

' Event?' Syaoran added in and Sakura nodded,

'Yes!'

' Maybe because you lack the brain capacity ..'

Sakura growled and slid down her chair. Syaoran smiled and Sakura blushed at his handsome smile,

' How have I got myself into this' Sakura groaned to herself.

' Now if you'll excuse me father ..' Syaoran slid back his chair and stood up. Yului stood up also,

' Syaoran, you will train her. It is not even a question, do you understand me?'

Syaoran slowly turned to his father.

' Why? She's a slave! She's a woman!' His eyes glared ferociously. ' My training is on the line here! You know what's happening!'

Yului shook his head slowly,

' Look. Have you forgotten who she is?'

' No! She's a nobody!'

Sakura bit her lip and bowed her head low, her hair fell in front of her eyes. Her fingers trailed up to her branding.

' How could you say such a thing Syaoran?' Yului whispered. ' She saved your life' He hissed.

' If you recall, I saved hers too' Syaoran growled. Sakura cried,

' Stop! Both of you! I'm a slave! A woman! Whatever I am! All I ask is that I go home. I don't remember or know what you're talking about …'

Yului shook his head strongly and glared at Syaoran with fierce eyes.

' You will do as I ask, son' And he left the room with a swish of his toga.

Syaoran looked at Sakura with flaming eyes making her flinch.

' I don't know who you are, and I am not giving up my life for some girl slave' He left after his father leaving Sakura sitting at a table.

...............................

' Again Sakura'

Yului held a sword up.

' I can't!' Came a weak reply. She kneeled on the ground with her head bent, panting.

' Get up. A celestial never gives up' Yului leapt up and came down with his staff. Sakura looked up with frightful beryl eyes before throwing herself left as he struck down,

Sakura, now lying on her side looked up at Yului. He swiveled the sword with his hand. ' Learn to stay on your feet'

Yului threw the sword and it sliced through the air towards Sakura. Sakura yelped and rolled over. The sword struck the ground with a spark before lying flat.

' Get up Sakura'

Sakura, on shaking limbs, pushed herself up using her sword as support. Yului's eyes flickered to her sword,

' Your sword is your fighting weapon and your life saver, you cannot afford to damage it' He watched Sakura lift the heavy sword up with some struggle,

' It's too heavy master!' She whispered hoarsely. Her hair was unruly with her eyes shining weakly.

' It's the lightest one here Sakura' He sighed. Sakura shook her head, ignoring the tears threatening her eyes.

' I can't do this' She said, gently. Yului's eyes enflamed,

' No celestial ever says that!'

' Then maybe I'm not a celestial!' She replied, tears beginning to fall. Yului walked up to her and put a hand on each of her shoulders,

' You have to remember what happened! These hands..' He gently lifted her hands, ' Saved my son. These hands, they saved your life too'

Sakura looked down at her trembling hands. Yului smiled,

' Look. I'll give you a treat. We'll keep trying to train you with this sword. If I think you've deserved it we shall go to the market tomorrow'

Sakura was not so enthralled. She kept silent.

'What do you wish to buy?' Yului continued. Sakura thought for a moment, twisting her lip. Company! She could buy some company! A bird or something …

' I do wish to buy something'

Yului clapped his hands together, 'excellent!'

Sakura smiled softly to herself. If only her mother would be able to see her new found happiness.. And how she missed Tomoyo!

' Back to practice then?'

' Oh no' Sakura mumbled, growling with gritted teeth.

....................................

Sumptuous food was laid out on the long dining room table. Instead of usually lying on their sides in reclined couches, they ate sitting down out of reason. They could "socialize" better and Sakura was uncomfortable with her slave status..

' Pig'

'Whore'

' Conceited bastard'

They mumbled towards each other. Syaoran smirked at her last whispered insult and widened his eyes in a devilish smile, 'do I care' look evidently on his face. Sakura tightened her lips and narrowed her eyes at him. Yului was too wrapped up in his own conversation,

' So, you see, that is the destiny for both of you'

'Destiny?' Syaoran and Sakura both inquired.

' Yes! Have you both even been listening?' Yului was exasperated. Sakura tilted her head, smiling at Syaoran,

' Oh you mean the dark master?'

Yului smiled, 'So you have been listening Sakura!' Syaoran flared his nostrils, breathing out sharply with his eyes almost closed.

' The Dark master otherwise known as Necrosis, is the ultimate necromancer of all centuries. He was worshipped be idols but soon became overpowering and sacrificed their blood for his strength. He lived in the mute mountains towards the East of here 50 degrees North. He's a celestial. One of you!' Sakura nodded towards Syaoran who was busy rolling a grape across his fingers.

' You also' Yului nodded before turning his livid eyes away from the table. Damn Necrosis! Brought down thorough shame on the celestial name.

' So the idea is I have to go and fight this Necromancer and that is the end of that?' Syaoran glanced at his father with confident brown eyes.

' You cannot' Yului's eyes flared before simmering, 'Expect this to be any easy battle Syaoran! He feeds of other's pain! He is virtually invincible and immortal'

' Then why am I fighting him father?' Syaoran flicked the grape into his mouth,

' Because no one else can. He has culled other celestials and captured their powers'

Sakura bowed her head, thoroughly confused.

' This guy sure sounds like a nasty piece of work' She thought.

' Again Sakura!'

Sakura struck out with her sword and it scraped down the side of Yului. Yului performed an elegant turn, blocking her attack with ease. Sakura spun and sliced her sword down again making Yului stumble backwards.

Yului tilted his head slightly with a crooked smile. He swiped his sword again and again making Sakura block from left to right. However, Yului lanced his sword out towards her making Sakura fall backwards, the sword clattered on the floor.

She lay motionless. She'd been trying for weeks to improve and she had made little progress in her eyes.

Yului panted. 'I'm not the best teacher for you Sakura'

' Need help?' Came a cold voice from the other side of the room. Out of the shadows, a boy uncrossed his arms and walked calmly over.

Sakura's eyes traveled over to Syaoran and she closed them, biting her lip.

Syaoran stepped over to her and held a hand out. Sakura took it and he roughly pulled her up. She stumbled a few moments to regain balance.

'Excuse me father'

Yului stepped aside.

Syaoran walked over to the sword rack and pulled out his sword. Sakura had been told never to approach it with its engravements and special properties. She was more than happy to oblige considering it was so big and heavy.

The long blade shone and dazzled in the torchlight. He straightened his lean posture and pointed his sword at Sakura.

' Come on then Sakura' Sakura shivered when he said her name and felt so small under his fiery gaze. She looked at the ground and picked up the blade, pulling it to shoulder height. Sakura looked away from his stare and aligned herself.

Syaoran gripped the sword tight and it felt hot under his fingers. He saw the pathetic girl in front of him and couldn't help but smile. He'd show his father how small and useless this girl was.

He gave a small war cry and ran over to her, with his sword held back. Sakura's eyes widened and her mouth opened in terror. The sword's both clashed in a loud splint. Sakura by instinct dropped the sword and ran. Syaoran smiled.

' Syaoran!' Yului cried, watching his son.

Syaoran swiveled the blade in his palm and Sakura ran behind a column. She slammed her back onto it trying to quieten her breathing.

Syaoran, sword in hand, slowly walked around the column and swung his sword. Sakura ducked and the sword clanged against the stone column. She yelped, adrenaline rushing through her veins and pounding in her head. Sprinting away she realized she was heading towards the main torch. She skidded and turned sharply. Syaoran examined this carefully.

He put his sword into the flame and it glowed an incandescent white. He glanced at Sakura through the corner of his eye with a crooked smile. Sakura whimpered before backing onto the rack of swords and staffs. Syaoran smiled and charged towards her. He swiped over her head and she ducked. He lashed towards her left arm and she dived the other direction, turning round to face him again. Syaoran's eyes ignited fiery amber before he speared out his sword. The edge of the obsidian sword sliced across Sakura's arm causing her to give a cry of pain.

Syaoran admired his handiwork but frowned when he saw he had given a red-hot scar across the now slightly distorted eagle mark across her arm. Sakura grabbed her arm with her opposite hand and stumbled backwards. In sheer fury she grabbed the nearest object to her right that was a long staff and ran towards Syaoran. He, who was not expecting this widened his eyes and blocked her attacks.

Sakura, who had some staff practice because she used to be part of the parade in her old village, was able to exploit his lack of knowledge on staff man ship. Yet, Syaoran was infinitely stronger and many times craftier with his sword. Sakura fell under his attacks quickly and Syaoran sliced the staff into two.

Sakura lay on the floor, looking up at Syaoran with incensed emerald eyes. Syaoran looked down at her and flicked the sword under her chin.

Yului, who had stood back and watched, immediately ran over and pulled Syaoran back. Syaoran tried to fight him off but was dragged away.

' Enough Syaoran for one day!' Yului pulled him back. Sakura gripped her arm, rocking herself gently.

Syaoran, still carrying his sword, looked back once at Sakura before walking out of the room.

Things had obviously gone off a bad start.

' You've learnt more today than in the last few weeks Sakura' Yului smiled. ' You've seen little of my son's presence in the house…but I think you'll be seeing more …'

Sakura could only roll in and out of consciousness with the searing pain in her arm and regret at leaving the Daedandre household….Tomoyo…Mother…

…………………………………..

Interesting…very interesting.

Please review. I'm thinking of starting another story easier to read. High school drama but I'm trying to find a decent storyline. Or else, it may prove to be rather boring really.

Lea

xXx

P.s. I'm nice and burnt from my week school holiday!